Bentonite clay, also known as sodium bentonite, sodium montmorillonite and Wyoming bentonite, may be used to treat a variety of health conditions. Some alternative health care practitioners and Internet marketers claim bentonite clay may be used to lower cholesterol levels, but it must be emphasized that neither these claims nor its other purported health benefits have been evaluated by the FDA. It is strongly urged you consult your doctor before using any form of bentonite clay.
Origins and History
Bentonite clay is derived from weathered and aged volcanic ash. Large deposits of clay are found in the great plains of North America, notably in Wyoming and Montana. The term, "Bentonite" is derived from clay deposits found in Fort Benton, Wyoming, according to Healingdaily.com. Clay has been used as a detoxifying agent by indigenous tribes around the world for hundreds of years, says Healingdaily.com. Tribes in the Andes mountains of South America, Central Africa, and Australian Aborigines commonly ate food dipped in dissolved volcanic ash.
Features
Bentonite clay swells up like a highly porous sponge when mixed with water. According to Botanical.com, the resulting change in molecular structure and generated electrical charge gives the hydrated clay the ability to absorb toxins, poisons, impurities, and other contaminants. Proper bentonite clay should verge between grey and cream in color. It is available as a powder, a tasteless gray gel and as a capsule. Do not use white bentonite clay.
Internal Use
Bentonite clay can be mixed in water or glazed on food. Healingdaily.com says bentonite clay can support the intestinal system by aiding in the elimination of toxins. Toxins bind to the hydrated bentonite clay, which is expelled from the body as stools. Bentonite clay may be used to cure diarrhea through its ability to bind to contaminants in the gastrointestinal tract.
Cholesterol
Bentonite clay is purported to have cholesterol lowering benefits. This may be due to its ability to bind to and carry away harmful substances and contaminants in the gastrointestinal tract. Some alternative health practitioners and online herbal retailers suggest bentonite clay may be added to fibers such as psyllium and apple pectin to assist the excretion of cholesterol as stools. A joint study by the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Procter and Gamble, and the University of Kentucky, published in the February 2000 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, confirms psyllium can help lower cholesterol in conjunction with a low fat diet. There are no clinical trials regarding the alleged-cholesterol lowering ability of bentonite clay.
External Use
Bentonite clay is used in industrial protection skin creams and in anti-eczema lotions . Due to its ability to draw out toxins, it may also be used in personal care products such as mud packs and face creams, says Healingdaily.com. Add 2 to 3 oz of bentonite clay to your bath as a general skin cleanser.
